Sheep in the Falklands. 



365 



No cheese was exported in 1896-97 on account of the satis- 

 factory prices for butter in England, scarcity of milk in the 

 colony, and the low prices offered for cheese itse]f. It is not, 

 however, to be assumed that the industry will be abandoned, 

 for it appears that when favourable seasons for the pro- 

 duction of milk are experienced, cheese-making will have to 

 be resorted to in order to profitably dispose of the summer 

 supply. 



Sheep Breeding in the Falkland Islands. 



In the official report on this Colony for 1896 it is stated that 

 during the year 1896 there was a great improvement as 

 regards stock. A large importation of stud rams was made 

 direct from New Zealand, principally for East Falkland. 

 There were also imported 241 animals of the following 

 breeds: 127 Romney Marsh, 112 Lincolns, and 2 English 

 Leicesters. The importers are reported to be thoroughly 

 satisfied with the rams, and if care be taken in the selection 

 of ewes it is hoped that a great improvement of the 

 flocks will result in course of time. Other stock intro- 

 duced consisted of about no horses from Patagonia, one 

 Devon bull, and three Berkshire pigs from England. Two 

 farmers on two of the small islands were sufficiently enter- 

 prising to import also from New Zealand a small quantity of 

 cocksfoot grass seed. 



There was no exportation of frozen mutton during 1896. 

 An official visited London during the winter months with a 

 view to ascertain whether satisfactory arrangements could 

 be made for the sale of Falkland Islands frozen meat in 

 England. It is not, however, expected that any large quan- 

 tity will be sent unless there be a considerable rise in prices. 



The Report states that at present prices for frozen mutton,, 

 it is a question whether boiling down does not pay as well, 

 if not better. To make frozen mutton pay, it is necessary to 

 breed the sheep up to a certain standard. It is not sufficient 

 that the sheep should be large and heavy ; quality is the first 

 consideration, and some time must elapse before Falk- 

 land Islands sheep reach that standard. 



